Meanwhile, Lowell signaled to Tony with his eyes.
Understanding that he was being told to find out which temple Tanner was staying at, Tony quietly slipped away from the knights.
The temple Tanner mentioned was clearly not the one Lowell and Felix had visited, but likely one of the many small, poorly managed temples in the town.
In truth, Lowell wanted to ask exactly where it was, but doing so would surely make Tanner wary again, so investigating in secret was the best course of action.
“If you’re okay with it, could you play with Edwin for today?”
When Lowell asked kindly and politely, Tanner frowned as if uncomfortable, but eventually nodded.
After finishing his meal and a quick wash, Tanner took Edwin’s hand and wandered through the town.
Edwin was happy just walking through the alleys with Tanner.
In his heart, Lowell wanted to change the boy out of his worn, uncomfortable clothes, but since the people running the temple didn’t seem quite right, it was impossible to move hastily.
They might strip the child’s clothes to sell them, or he might become a target of jealousy.
‘Irresponsible sympathy can invite disaster.’
Lowell didn’t want to put the child in danger for the sake of his own self-satisfaction.
Unless he could take responsibility until the end, he had to settle for helping from the shadows.
Feeling a bitter taste in his mouth, Lowell looked back at Felix, who had been quiet for a while.
He was gazing blankly at Edwin and Tanner.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing. Just that I should file a report on the places failing to fulfill their duties as temples.”
Lowell swallowed the word ‘Liar’ that rose to his throat.
While Felix’s words weren’t entirely false, it was clear that watching Edwin with Tanner was an extension of the conflict that had begun yesterday.
Furthermore, even though he knew Lowell had noticed, he was deflecting.
‘It can’t be helped; he hasn’t sorted out his own thoughts yet.’
Lowell could have pushed Felix further, but he chose not to.
“Edwin really likes him. He’s always liked friends his age, but not to this extent. It’s strange. Did he actually want a brother?”
“It could just be that he took a liking to that boy. There is such a thing as being drawn to someone.”
Felix took Lowell’s hand pointedly.
Receiving the fierce desire hidden within that grip, Lowell leaned his head against Felix’s arm.
“If only he were a child living in Nyx. There isn’t much we can do here in the capital.”
“It’s not as if there’s nothing we can do just because we’re here, so it’s fine.”
“I suppose so.”
Tanner, who stayed with Edwin until sunset, stood up when the sun went down, saying he had to go because it would soon be lights-out.
“Can’t you sleep here?”
When Edwin clung to his clothes, Tanner wore a troubled expression, but the answer Edwin wanted didn’t come.
It seemed he hadn’t even entertained the thought that he might stay when the lodgings were being secured.
“I have to go.”
At that firm response, Edwin’s eyes welled with tears.
Tanner seemed flustered but pushed the hand away quite firmly.
It wasn’t that he found Edwin annoying or disliked him, but it was a clear expression of his own priorities.
“You know, are you coming tomorrow too?”
“I’m busy tomorrow, so I can’t.”
Usually, Edwin never begged for anything, but he was becoming strangely attached to Tanner.
A dejected Edwin didn’t wail loudly, but large teardrops streamed down his face.
Tanner hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty.
“I think I might have a bit of time tomorrow evening.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Then it’s a promise!”
Having promised to meet again the next day, Tanner looked back a couple of times before disappearing into the alley with slow steps.
One of the knights followed secretly to ensure he wouldn’t get into any trouble.
“I wish tomorrow would come fast!”
Edwin said, rubbing his face vigorously against Lowell’s chest.
The following day, Edwin was unable to focus, whether they were watching the play or visiting Swain Hill.
The child waited for the evening with an aching heart.
It wasn’t as if he did anything particularly special when he met Tanner; he simply gave him things he had secretly gathered during the day or followed him around like a shadow.
“We’ll be leaving the capital in two days, so this is becoming a concern.”
Since they were only participating in the major events rather than staying for the entire month-long Month of Blessings festival, their time in the capital was short.
‘I might actually see Edwin wailing at the top of his lungs for the first time.’
Lowell rubbed the back of his neck as he watched Edwin stick close to Tanner’s side.
“The temples are reportedly undergoing a massive crackdown. Once this festival ends, he’ll be moved to a larger, better-managed temple immediately.”
“That’s a relief. At least while the Emperor is keeping watch, they’ll make sure he’s fed properly.”
Lowell let out a sigh of relief. If the Emperor had decided to act, he wouldn’t do it halfway, so his greatest worry was resolved.
“Traveling really never goes exactly as planned, does it?”
Lowell muttered a complaint, anticipating that Edwin would want to spend every remaining moment of the next two days with Tanner.
“Still, we visited the places we planned, so it’s fine. Edwin seems to be enjoying himself, too.”
Felix paused for a moment before adding, as if it were nothing, “Are you alright with just doing nothing like this, Lowell? It would have been nice if you could have at least gone into the water.”
“I like how quiet it is. I’d start missing Nyx if we stayed much longer, but coming out like this once in a while is nice.”
It was Felix who had suggested coming to Phoebus for a trip, but he maintained the stance that everything was fine as long as Lowell and Edwin were satisfied.
“Ah, and the flowers on Swain Hill were in full bloom; it was beautiful.”
“Yes. The flowers and grass are thick enough now that even if you fell while dancing, you wouldn’t get hurt.”
Lowell felt a tightening in his chest just at the fact that Felix, who had once been crying in that very spot, could now smile without hesitation.
Edwin was having a better time than ever, and Lowell had achieved his own goals, so he felt it had been a good enough trip.
